Along with that, many previously dangerous diseases have now been cured thanks to innovative drugs and vaccines.

Do Xuan Tuyen, Deputy Minister of Health

The Ministry of Health (MoH) recognises the critical contribution of the pharmaceutical business community in researching and producing drugs and vaccines.

Over the past few years, despite suffering many economic losses, many businesses worked together to support access to medicine, medical equipment, transportation, and many other forms of support for the health sector and communities. These were noble gestures, deeply demonstrating the nation’s tradition of solidarity.

To promote sustainable development of businesses, and the innovative pharmacy industry, the MoH has been focusing on promoting administrative procedure reform, improving the business environment, and solving bottlenecks related to policy mechanisms.

Specifically, it submitted a draft last month on approving the national strategy on Vietnam’s pharmaceutical industry development to 2030 and beyond.

Implementing a pharma industry development programme, the MoH has also worked with Thai Binh People’s Committee and Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee on the construction of two pharmaceutical parks.

Currently, the ministry is working on completion of the draft amendments to the Law on Pharmacy, and draft amendments to various other pieces of legislation, thus creating a legal basis to amend related circulars to resolve shortcomings and create better conditions for businesses to develop.

Vietnam is streamlining its procedures through IT but further simplifications are required

However, it is also frankly acknowledged that there are still issues in reform of admin procedures, as well as obstacles for pharma enterprises in obtaining legal documents.

At a dialogue in late October, we focused discussions on the aforementioned issues to seek possible solutions in the months to come.

First was on pharma and healthcare policies. All the proposals among businesses were gathered and considered for appropriate adjustments to create an enabling environment for businesses and also ensure state management efficiency.

Second was administrative procedures. The Drug Administration of Vietnam and other units under the MoH have made efforts to reform such procedures towards simplifying and applying IT in solving problems. However, issues still remain, and more problems emerged during the implementation. We are continuing to make efforts to build an open, transparent, clear, and practical administration.

Third are issues related to other ministries and agencies, such as tax, investment incentives, and export incentives, among others. The ministry will work with relevant ministries and agencies for consideration of possible solutions.

Through such discussions, the MoH is more aware about the concerns facing pharmaceutical enterprises. The ministry will continue to complete policy mechanisms to create a more favourable business and investment environment. I hope that businesses will also share the difficulties facing management agencies, thereby working together towards creating a better environment to achieve our aims going forward.